KYN is one of Finland’s most highly regarded and distinctive treble choirs. Its artistic director is the award-winning conductor Kaija Viitasalo, who holds the honorary title of musiikkineuvos (Counsellor of Music). Under her leadership, KYN has developed into a bold musical instrument with a unique expressive voice.

KYN has a long tradition of close collaboration with arrangers, seeking to bring fresh perspectives to familiar works. This time, beloved Christmas songs from Finland and Sweden have been given new musical interpretations. The album features arrangements by jazz virtuoso Mikko Hassinen (known for his work with UMO, among others), Jouni Kannisto of the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Club for Five, and Swedish singer-composer Anders Edenroth of The Real Group.

The success of KYN’s previous recordings and their popularity with a wide audience have demonstrated that, through its dedicated work, the choir has created something that makes choral music accessible and appealing to everyone, not just choral enthusiasts. KYN continues this commitment with the same uncompromising dedication on its new album.

KYN released *Kirjoitin joulun* on 27 November 2025 at the House of Nobility in Helsinki. The album launch concert was part of the prestigious *Kuoromusiikin kausikonsertit* choral concert series.

KIRJOITIN JOULUN

Kirjoitin joulun (I Wrote Christmas) is the result of years of heartfelt dedication and preparation. The first arrangements were commissioned as early as 2013, and the album has been carefully conceived to give familiar, much-loved Christmas songs a fresh sound and bring them together into a compelling musical whole.

With this album, KYN offers a new vision of what Finnish Christmas repertoire for women’s choirs can be at its very best. Recording these new arrangements is also an important contribution to musical culture, providing a valuable reference for other choirs that may wish to include the works in their own repertoires.

The album’s songs form a series of three musical postcards. The first transports listeners into the atmosphere of a traditional Christmas, the second explores Christmas as we experience it today, and the third brings a touch of Christmas spirit from beyond Finland’s borders.

The recordings were made at Riihimäki Garrison Church and St Catherine’s Church in Karjaa during 2024–2025. Recording engineers Matti Heinonen and Sofia Riippi of Pro Audile were responsible for the recordings, while Timo Lehtovaara served as the album’s artistic producer.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE AN ALBUM?

The singers have compared the recording process to an extreme sporting challenge. It demands sustained concentration, patience in searching for precisely the right musical colours, sensitivity and a shared performance of extraordinary precision. There is a reason people say that choral singers’ hearts begin to beat in unison.

Ultimately, with just the right balance of relaxation and focus, everything begins to flow. The pieces fall into place, and the desired result is achieved.

Making an album is a collaborative effort involving many people. Alongside the artistic work, the production requires an extraordinary amount of planning, coordination, negotiations, research, applications, recording, listening, editing, mixing, mastering, graphic design, photography, filming, marketing, publicity, promotion and communication.

Nearly 70 people have contributed to the creation of this album in one way or another. Our heartfelt thanks go to every single one of them!

KYN